A Leesburg man was arrested for resisting law enforcement after allegedly throwing drugs out of a car window and attempting to walk away from the scene during a traffic stop.
Police initiated the traffic stop on a black Volkswagen for a radio audible over 25 feet violation and a driver seatbelt violation in the area of Talladega and Alabama Street at about 10:46 a.m. Saturday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
After pulling into the driveway of 902 Talladega St, the driver exited the vehicle and instructed the passenger, 23-year-old Nicholas Perez, to do the same. As the officer instructed both individuals to stay in the car, he observed Perez throw something out of the front driver-side window. He then exited the vehicle and tossed something else on the ground, the report said.
The officer immediately called for backup because both of the subjects were ignoring his commands and trying to leave the scene. Another officer arrived, and they were both detained in handcuffs. The report noted that the officer could smell the strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle when he approached.
After placing the pair in the backs of two separate patrol cars, the officers searched the vehicle and the surrounding area. A small clear plastic Ziploc-style baggie containing a white substance was found on the ground about 6 feet from the vehicle. A multi-colored glass smoking device which contained a residual amount of burnt marijuana was also located, the report said.
Perez stated the baggie he threw from the vehicle contained “molly,” which is a slang term for MDMA. A small portion of the 4.2 grams of substance tested positive for methamphetamine, the report said.
The driver was issued a misdemeanor citation for resisting law enforcement without violence and released from the scene, the report said.
Perez was arrested and charged with possession of MDMA, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting (obstructing without violence) and tampering with physical evidence. He was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $9,000.
